Fernandes puts quake toll at 1 lakhSnapping of communication links hampers rescue workAHMEDABAD, Jan 30 — Following the snapping of the communication network during the January 26 catastrophic earthquake, the Keshubhai Patel government in Gujarat has been put under severe strain in undertaking rescue operations in the far-flung areas of Kutch district and the backward Saurashtra region.

Armed
forces continue workNEW DELHI, Jan 30 — Relief and rescue operations by the Indian Armed Forces continued in full swing today in quake-devastated Gujarat even as the death toll continues to mount.

Russian rescue workers bring out Ummerben, an elderly woman who survived for over 100 hours in Bhachau, 70 km from Bhuj, on Tuesday. — Reuters
photo

Budget will be harsh: PM
LUCKNOW, Jan 30 — Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the coming budget would be harsh and people should be prepared for fresh taxes in the wake of devastating earthquake in
Gujarat.

Staffers missing in relief workThey are hurt, dead or aggrieved
BHUJ, Jan 30 — With a large number of its employees dead or devastated and relief piling up, the Gujarat Government is faced with a piquant situation.

Bhuj air base ploughs onBHUJ, Jan 30 — Death of colleagues and family members
have not deterred personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to carry out
virtually uninterrupted relief operations from the heavily-damaged Bhuj air
station in quake ravaged Gujarat.

Unknown heroes save livesAHMEDABAD, Jan 30 — Little did they know that they had the guts to enter a crumbling structure and save those whom they barely knew.

A baby sleeps in a hammock at a makeshift camp built by earthquake survivors at Sukhpar, about 10 km from Bhuj, on Tuesday. — Reuters
photo

With cracks in houses they brave chill in openBATHINDA, Jan 30 — As
many as 35 families of Mohalla Norhian and Gali Gangaramwali of ward
number 24 of this town have been living under constant danger to their
lives since wide cracks appeared in the roofs and walls of their
dwellings about 25 days ago.

Quake to cast shadow on Surajkund MelaFARIDABAD, Jan 30 — The earthquake tragedy in Gujarat is likely to cast its shadow on the proposed Surajkund Crafts Mela to be held here from February 1.
Although the authorities have got prepared and sent invitations to the VIPs and other guests, the mela which otherwise has been a big draw for tourists and visitors from India and abroad is threatened with lukewarm
response.